Religious sisters repeatedly score high in happiness on surveys compared with the general population and for two Brisbane-based sisters it comes down to their special life with Jesus, reports The Catholic Leader.
St Paul de Chartres Sister Josephine Phan said she was grateful God called her to religious life.
The Sisters of St Paul de Chartres sharing their happy life in Brisbane. PHOTO: Archdiocese of Brisbane Facebook video.
She said the way of consecrated life might “seem unusual to many, especially in today’s world, but by God’s grace, I feel incredibly blessed to live this vocation”.
“If I were to choose again, without hesitation, this would be my choice,” she said.
“While the consecrated life certainly has its challenges and struggles, I embrace them as opportunities for growth, knowing that with God by my side, nothing is impossible.”
Nazareth Sister Elisapeta Tevaga said some people saw religious life as “unexciting and unattractive”.
“…But for me following Jesus as a religious sister brings me self-fulfilment, peace and lasting joy and I know that the world cannot offer me this,” she said.
“Knowing that Jesus is my constant companion enables me to keep going even through challenging situations.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Sisters pictured earlier this year during their joyful 150th jubilee celebrations. PHOTO: OLSH Sisters.
“Jesus has chosen and invited me to follow this vocation as a religious sister.
“I said yes to that invitation, and I renew my yes to Jesus daily with conviction because Jesus’ love is faithful, is real, is unconditional.
“It is more than enough for me.”
Of the many studies on consecrated life, one of the most famous is the Nun Study, an ongoing longitudinal study on Catholic women religious begun in 1986.
The study showed many positive health outcomes experienced by religious sisters, including increased levels of happiness.
The data also showed religious sisters lived longer and had better health outcomes than their peers.
A 2016 study by Tomas Janotik into the lives of female Benedictine monasteries put forward a strong case that nuns did not experience a midlife crisis.
Where most studies show people experience a decline in happiness from the age of 40 to 60 before it picks up again in old age, a phenomenon called the happiness U-curve, the Benedictine population experienced a steady rise in life satisfaction over the course of these same years.
One of the reasons given for this was their strong sense of belonging in a community.
Sr Phan said religious life was not just her vocation, her fellow sisters were her family.
“Each day is a precious gift from God, and I can only feel joy in response,” she said.
“With a heart full of gratitude, I thank God every morning for the gift of a new day.
“The most sacred moments for me are the early hours, when I come to the Chapel to adore the Blessed Sacrament and offer myself completely to the Lord.
“This sacred time continues with morning prayer, meditation, and Holy Mass. How could I not be happy?”
Sr Tevaga said religious stood for God and for His glory.
“(We) cannot help but be people of good news, radiating the love of the One I choose to follow,” she said.
“As followers of Christ, we have chosen this wonderful way of life.”
This article by Joe Higgins was published in The Catholic Leader.